​Young stroke survivor takes on 100 mile cycle for the Stroke Association

Sarah Revill-Dews, 28 from Nottingham, will take on the Prudential RideLondon 100-mile challenge on Sunday 29 July, to mark how far she has come since surviving a stroke, just two days after her honeymoon.

On 21 May 2017, Sarah had just returned from her dream honeymoon in Sri Lanka and the Maldives when she started feeling unwell with a painful headache. Initially putting it down to jetlag, Sarah returned to work on two days later but as colleagues excitedly asked her about the wedding and honeymoon, she could only say: “It was ok.”

Sarah said: “When I couldn’t speak properly I knew something was wrong. My colleagues called 111 and the first responder gave me an aspirin as he thought I’d had a stroke. However, when I got to hospital, they believed it was a migraine and I was discharged. Fortunately the first responder had booked me in with the stroke ward the next day but even when we went to see the consultant, they didn’t believe I’d had a stroke until an MRI proved it. No one seemed to think it could happen to a 27 year old. It was a crushing moment to be told I’d had a stroke. My whole world just crashed around me.”

Sarah lost the ability to communicate; she was unable to speak, read or write. Fortunately she didn’t have lasting physical effects, apart from initially being unsteady on her feet.

Sarah added: “It was a very difficult initial four months of recovery, but I have the most amazing husband and family who supported me, whether that was taking me to appointments, making me do lots of crosswords and Sudoku to work my brain or taking me to Thai Chi classes to work on my balance.

“At the time I felt quite isolated because I didn’t even think people of my age had strokes and I was very angry; wondering why me? After having every test under the sun and seeing various consultants, it appears that my stroke was caused by a combination of the contraceptive pill and the flight home.”

Sarah is now preparing to cycle 100 miles during the Prudential RideLondon – Surrey cycle, to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association. She will be joined by her father Robin Dews and her sister Anna Dews.

She added: “I want to raise awareness of strokes in young people and raise funds for the Stroke Association to help others get the support they need. I was due to cycle last year but couldn’t because of my stroke, so I’m feeling very emotional about being able to do it this year, especially raising funds for a charity I’m hugely passionate about. Training is going well and I even completed a 50 mile ride this weekend in 30-degree heat. I still experience fatigue after my stroke, but I'm learning my limits and doing it all with a big smile on my face.”

Emma Evans, Events Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “For many stroke survivors, getting their life back on track after a stroke means overcoming life-changing disabilities and emotional trauma. But they can’t do this on their own. Every day people across the UK are regaining their independence with the support of the Stroke Association and others. We’re incredibly grateful to Sarah for taking on this gruelling challenge to help raise funds for people affected by stroke; she is a real inspiration and proof that there is life after stroke.”

Each year, more women have strokes than men. Although the risk of stroke in young women is generally low, pregnancy and contraceptive pills are both significant stroke risk factors. The hormone oestrogen can increase the likelihood of the blood clotting, and this may increase the risk of stroke. Taking medication such as the contraceptive pill or HRT, and conditions such as pregnancy, affect hormone levels and so may increase a woman’s risk of stroke. If you have any questions or concerns about the contraceptive pill, you should discuss them with your GP.

To sponsor Sarah, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-revill-dews. For more information about stroke, visit www.stroke.org.uk or call our helpline on 0303 303 3100.

Film by Bigger Boat Film/Eric Revill-Dews